Quarterback Like Newton played one half in the Carolina Panthers’ 41–17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 9, 2022. Although the former BROWN All-American talked about his desire to continue playinghe hasn’t been on an NFL field since.

And according to his comments during his “4 and 1” podcast this week, he’s not coming back.

The topic of Newton’s football future was intertwined with the quarterback’s comments about his relationship with the Panthers.

“Me and that franchise, it’s simple: it takes two to tango.” Newton said.

Newton is the franchise’s career leader and record holder in rushing touchdowns. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and NFL Most Valuable Player in 2015 while playing for the Panthers and sparking the most successful season in Carolina history.

But when the Panthers played in Germany on Sunday, the “legends” representing the team on the trip were Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Steve Smith. Newton said he was not invited.

“For too long it’s been an (expletive) excuse like: We don’t know if Cam is retired or not,” Newton said of his absence from Panthers activities. “… I played my last ball in 2020. I’m back in 2021. It’s like, ‘Dude, this (problem) is over.’ I’m not back yet. And not because I didn’t want to go back. It was like I was a very intentional person. If I come back, it’s just like anybody else, I don’t come back just to walk down the hall.”

During his weekly podcast, Newton said he has no ill will with the Panthers. But he said his feelings were hurt.

“I have no quarrel with (team owner) David Tepper,” Newton said. “I have no quarrel with Mrs. Tepper. I have no feud with anyone in the Panthers organization. I give my opinion impartially, regardless of who and what franchise it is.

“Last year, I had a 7-on-7 tournament in Charlotte, which, being who I am, I have access to. I walked into the Panthers facility and you’re telling me one of the greatest Panthers to ever play isn’t up there anywhere? Nowhere. I don’t talk anywhere. Who caught my eye? my son … So, as a man, when you have to explain to your son – Dad, where’s your picture? You know what the hell the guide said? “If you go up to the second and third levels, Cam is everywhere.” I saw Jake Delhomme. I saw Thomas Davis. I saw Luke Kuechly. I saw Julius Peppers. I saw Steve Smith.

“At this point, the question was, Oh, we don’t know if Cam has retired yet? New Lightning: I will never retire. I know I played my last game of football. It doesn’t matter to me that I officially retire. I’m in a happy place.”

RELATED: BRYCE YOUNG WINS AGAIN, BUT WILL PANTHERS’ NEXT MOC BEGIN?

Newton is still keeping an eye on the Panthers, though. He said it was “very proud” by the quarterback Bryce Young for his performance in Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants in Munich, but Newton hinted that Carolina hasn’t properly developed the second-year signal caller from Alabamawho, like Newton, was the No. 1 in an NFL draft.

“Can he play? Hell yeah” Newton said. “But this goes back to development. Is the development plan in place for him in the Carolinas? Was it developed correctly? I don’t want to be a spoiler, but…”